‘Lucas Ribeiro is irreplaceable’ – Miguel Cardoso on new Portuguese signings

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Cardoso adamant Ribeiro is irreplaceable despite landing two big signings

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/ Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says no player can fill the void left by talisman Lucas Ribeiro Costa at Chloorkop.

This comes after Masandawana roped in Portuguese midfielders Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho, who can both operate as no.10s and inverted wingers.

While many suggest the Portuguese duo has been signed to replace Ribeiro, particularly Santos, the Downs mentor dismissed the notion, stating the Brazilian is irreplaceable.

“No player will substitute Lucas because that’s not what we are looking for. We are not looking to substitute Lucas, we are looking to reinforce the team, that is completely different,” said Cardoso.

“Every player has his own characteristics and neither Nuno nor Miguel Reisinho have the characteristics that Lucas had. It’s a very particular player but also the other ones are very particular and also the ones we have in the club are also very particular.

Cardoso believes the Tshwane giants will now play as a collective after the departure of Ribeiro, whom the team heavily relied on for the past two seasons.

“Sundowns will develop to be a different team, probably more collective than it was in the past because Lucas was a player that could solve problems alone and in these kinds of games like today [Wednesday] probably, he would help a lot because sometimes we were blocked,” he added.

“But we are not relating with Lucas, he is a wonderful memory, a good friend but it’s the past. So, the team and us as coaches don’t relate with the past. We just need to understand how capable we are to welcome everybody and get the best out of each and every player and develop the team.

Sundowns will be determined to get back to winning ways when they host Richards Bay FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday after a frustrating defeat to Golden Arrows on Wednesday.